Michael Jordan’s ‘Grape’ Air Jordans Are Returning for the First Time in 12 Years

Of all of the Jordan Brand’s 40th anniversary triumphs this year, which include a true-to-original Air Jordan 1 High ’85 Bred and Nigel Sylvester’s highly coveted Air Jordan 4 Brick by Brick collaboration, it’s another one of the brand’s milestones that has stolen much of the spotlight. As the Air Jordan 5 marks its 35th year, the Nike, Inc. owned-and-operated label has pulled out all the stops for Michael Jordan’s fifth signature sneaker. After reissuing a tastefully modified Black Metallic Reimagined style, the brand will soon follow through with the return of another original colorway, one that last appeared at retail over a decade ago.

The Air Jordan 5 Retro Grape is officially confirmed to return in full family sizing this month. Unique for being one of just a handful of original Air Jordan colorways that didn’t match the red, black and white colors of the Chicago Bulls, the Grape pair instead highlighted a 1990s-befitting combination of Grape Ice purple and New Emerald green.

Famous for its connection to Will Smith’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air character, the Grape style was first released in 1990. A rerelease under Jordan Brand’s limited-edition LS (Lifestyle) line occurred in 2006 before the sneaker’s most recent reissue in 2013. In 2018, Jordan Brand paid homage to Smith’s history with the Grape colorway by releasing a special laceless version which referenced the way his Fresh Prince character would style the shoes. A friends-and-family gold-covered iteration of the Fresh Prince pair was also produced.

Following the launch of this Grape colorway, more Air Jordan 5s are set to be released this year including the original Fire Red, a two-shoe collaboration with Awake New York, a new project with A Ma Maniére, a special 35th Anniversary makeup and a relaunch of the hyper-limited Tokyo T23 style.

As for the Air Jordan 5 Retro Grape pair pictured here, it will be released one June 21 at 10 a.m. ET from Nike’s Snkrs app and will also be available from select Jordan Brand retailers. Retail pricing is $215 for adult sizes (style code HQ7978-100), $160 for big kids, $100 for little kids and $85 for toddlers.